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Most people who qualify for USAA car insurance should consider it. USAA has above-average rankings on customer satisfaction and offers some of the lowest rates currently available. Unfortunately, you have to be affiliated with the military to qualify for USAA insurance. The company also doesn't have in-person locations.
Like USAA, Allstate ranks among the cheapest auto insurance companies with average premiums below the national average. However, its J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings are below average in most markets, while USAA's are above. Allstate's claims satisfaction is also below average, outperformed by competitors big and small. Allstate does have local agents, though, which gives it an edge on USAA for some drivers who want in-person assistance.
This guide will help you compare USAA and Allstate so you can decide which, if either, is right for you.
How we rate products
FinanceBuzz researches a number of factors in each auto insurance provider to create our reviews. These factors include cost and discounts, complaints and customer satisfaction, coverage, and ease of use. We also gather information from sources such as Insurify, J.D. Power, AM Best, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and the Better Business Bureau to ensure we provide the most useful information to our readers.
USAA pros and cons
- Very low premiums relative to many other insurers
- High J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating
- Discounts on coverage if you deploy
- Eligibility limited to military members and families
- No physical branches or local agents available
- Many complaints with the NAIC
Learn more in our USAA review.
Allstate pros and cons
- Few complaints with the NAIC
- Insurance premiums below the national average
- Agents offer in-person support
- Below-average J.D. Power customer service rating in multiple markets
- Low Trustpilot rating with reviews citing issues with claims and poor customer service
- Very low (D-) Better Business Bureau grade
Learn more in our Allstate review.
Which company is better?
| USAA | Allstate | |
| AM Best | A++ | A+ |
| J.D. Power claims satisfaction | 741 (above Average) | 693 (below average) |
| BBB | A+ | D- |
| NAIC complaints (private passenger) | 1.32 | 0.69 |
Both USAA and Allstate have solid credit ratings, though USAA's A++ rating is slightly better (it's the highest financial strength rating an insurer can receive). Still, with either company, you shouldn't have big concerns about the insurer's financial stability. Ratings in the A range are fairly standard among auto insurers. Some others, like GEICO, also earn an A++.
When it comes to customer service, results are mixed. While USAA has more complaints with the NAIC relative to its market share than Allstate, its official BBB grade is much higher. USAA also far outshines Allstate on J.D. Power claims satisfaction and overall customer satisfaction surveys.
While Allstate scores below average on claims satisfaction and overall customer satisfaction in multiple markets, including California and the Central Region, USAA consistently ranks above average. In fact, USAA beats all insurers in all regions except for usage-based insurance, where Nationwide narrowly edges it out.
As far as BBB customer ratings, USAA again beats Allstate, but neither has great reviews. USAA earned 1.16 out of 5 stars on almost 2,500 customer reviews, while Allstate earned 1.12.
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Which company is cheaper?
Both Allstate and USAA offer below-average rates, but USAA is a bit cheaper for drivers in most categories. Between the two, USAA may be your best option if saving money on car insurance is critical and you qualify for USAA. For example, while Allstate's average premiums for a liability-only policy average $77, USAA's average $54 per month.
Allstate's average rates tend to be higher for every demographic of drivers, with differences potentially reaching triple digits.
These are USAA's average rates across driver profiles:
| Driver type | USAA liability-only monthly premium | USAA full-coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $54 | $104 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $70 | $135 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $71 | $137 |
| DUI on driving record | $79 | $152 |
| Teen driver | $101 | $195 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $42 | $80 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $43 | $82 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
And here are Allstate's average rates for comparison:
| Driver type | Allstate liability-only monthly premium | Allstate full coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $77 | $146 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $101 | $191 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $101 | $192 |
| DUI on driving record | $112 | $213 |
| Teen driver | $164 | $311 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $60 | $113 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $57 | $109 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
Clean driving record
USAA's average premiums are lower than Allstate's average premiums for drivers with a clean record. Allstate charges more for liability-only coverage and a full coverage policy that includes collision and comprehensive coverage.
Average rate:
Speeding ticket on driving record
Drivers with a speeding ticket are riskier to insure, so both USAA and Allstate charge them more than those with a clean record. However, both companies have average premiums for drivers with a ticket that beat the national average. USAA is cheaper, though, for liability and full coverage. If you have a speeding ticket, Allstate averages $101 per month for a liability-only policy, and USAA averages $70.
At-fault accident on driving record
At-fault accidents also increase a driver's risk, resulting in higher premiums. Again, Allstate and USAA both charge drivers with an accident history less than the national average, but USAA's policies are priced more competitively. USAA averages $137 per month for full coverage policies with this risk profile compared to $192 with Allstate.
DUI on driving record
While premiums for a driver with a DUI are significantly higher than for those with a clean record, both Allstate and USAA again offer average premiums below the national average among all carriers. For these particular drivers, you could save a decent chunk of change going with either company, but potentially more with USAA.
Teen driver
Because teen drivers are young and lack experience, insuring them tends to be more expensive. Like with the other categories on this list, USAA and Allstate beat the national average, but USAA beats it by more and has average premiums below Allstate's.
USAA's average costs for teen drivers are $101 for liability-only and $195 for full coverage. By contrast, Allstate's average costs are $164 and $311.
Teens could potentially see the most significant price difference across all driver demographics between USAA and Allstate.
Senior driver
Finally, senior drivers can also begin to present a greater risk as they age. USAA and Allstate beat national averages for senior drivers, with USAA's average liability policy costing $42 and Allstate's costing $60 per month for drivers in their 60s.
Discounts
Both Allstate and USAA offer multiple ways to lower car insurance costs with discounts. Allstate provides slightly more discounts with 11 to USAA's nine. This could help to offset some of the premium savings that drivers enjoy due to USAA's generally lower prices.
Unfortunately, both USAA and Allstate lack discounts that some other insurers offer, such as the opportunity to save on coverage by purchasing vehicles equipped with qualifying airbags. Many other companies, including Erie and Auto-Owners, provide savings for this.
Neither Allstate nor USAA offers GAP insurance, which could be an issue for drivers who have a loan or lease. GAP insurance coverage pays the difference between the balance due and the fair market value of the car if it is totaled.
| Discount | Does USAA have it? | Does Allstate have it? |
| Loyalty | Yes | No |
| Multi-policy/bundling | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple vehicle | Yes | No |
| Airbag | No | No |
| Anti-lock brakes | No | Yes |
| Anti-theft | Yes | Yes |
| Safe driver | Yes | Yes |
| Good student | Yes | Yes |
| Away-from-home student | No | Yes |
| New car | Yes | Yes |
| Pay in full | No | Yes |
| Automatic payments | No | Yes |
| GAP insurance | No | No |
| Senior | No | Yes |
| Military | Yes | No |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | Some states |
USAA SafePilot and Safepilot Miles vs. Allstate's Drivewise and Milewise
Both USAA and Allstate offer drivers the opportunity to pay reduced premiums based on their driving habits.
In fact, both Allstate and USAA actually offer two different alternatives.
- Allstate's Drivewise adjusts premiums if you're a safe driver, and Milewise allows you to pay per mile driven.
- USAA's SafePilot Miles offers reduced premiums for drivers who drive fewer than 8,000 miles, providing the opportunity to save up to 20% on low-mileage driving and up to 20% for safe driving. The SafePilot program, on the other hand, does not come with a mileage limit, provides a 10% discount for enrollment, and offers up to 30% in savings.
USAA's program focuses on braking habits and phone use to determine if you are a safe enough driver to qualify for discounts. Allstate hasn't disclosed the specific factors evaluated or the greatest potential discount. Allstate's program is more full-featured, though, as it includes the opportunity to participate in safe-driving challenges and receive personalized feedback on driving habits.
Coverage
Allstate and USAA both offer a wide range of coverage options that drivers will appreciate, including standard options such as collision, comprehensive, and medical payments coverage.
Both also offer multiple types of insurance, so you can bundle things like home and auto to save more on all your policies. But again, neither offers GAP insurance.
The biggest difference between the two insurers is that Allstate offers new car replacement coverage. If your vehicle is two years old or newer, you can get a brand-new car if it is totaled with this coverage. USAA doesn't offer this option, though it does provide car replacement assistance that offers an additional 20% of a totaled car's cash value.
Here are some of the types of coverage both insurers offer.
- Liability
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist
- Roadside assistance
- Rental reimbursement
FAQs
How do I contact USAA?
You can contact USAA at the following phone numbers:
- 210-531-USAA (8722)
- 800-531-USAA (8722)
There is also an automated answer system on the USAA website that can help you address simple issues.
How do I contact Allstate?
You can contact Allstate via online chat, find a local agent on the Allstate website, or call Allstate at 1 (800) 726-6033.
What are the disadvantages of USAA?
The biggest disadvantage of USAA is that it is only available to individuals with a military affiliation, meaning active or retired members of the military or select government employees (as well as their families). This means most people can't get car insurance coverage through this insurer. USAA also has no in-person locations, making it difficult to get support if you prefer not to use a computer or phone to connect with a representative.
While USAA generally has a strong reputation for customer service, some reviews on the Better Business Bureau website highlight customer service issues, particularly with claims handling.
Bottom line
Both USAA and Allstate offer affordable auto insurance coverage with many plan options, including multiple types of insurance that could qualify you for bundling discounts. If you prefer in-person support, Allstate may be a better option. USAA is best for rock-bottom prices, but it isn't available to everyone.
Ultimately, you should take time to research different companies and get several different insurance quotes to find the best car insurance for your specific situation. Both of these companies are great options, but you may prefer alternatives like companies that offer GAP coverage or smaller regional insurers that may offer better prices or service in your area.
Average rate:
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